Elena raised an eyebrow as soon as she saw the massage. She wasn't usually one to chase leads and go into cesspools without a solid reason, but something about this lifted her interest. She tapped in and chatted a bit more to get more details, her mind racing with possibilities. It could be a minor lead or get to something bigger.
After checking and confirming the details with her contact, she decided to investigate and jump on that case. The location was a bar on the outskirts of Yangon, Hlaing township, known for drawing an eclectic mix of locals and outsiders. If there was new business in town, this would be go to place for almost everyone in Yangon. As she made her way to the bar, Elena's thoughts always going and running back to Joshua. Despite her tough exterior and shits she'd faced over the years, she found herself wondering how he was doing. She had seen the fear in his eyes, the way he'd tried to be brave. It wasn't something she sees often, his way of speaking and attitude, especially from someone so young and definitely not from a kid that grew up in a third world country with terrible education and access to information.
When she arrived at the bar, it was just as she expected—gloomy lighting, loud and terrible Vina music, and the constant clinking of glasses and people talking over each others. It was a dive, the kind of place people came to drown their sorrows or blend into the shadows and go toodaloo on life. Elena scanned the room, her eyes searching for anything that seemed out of place.
It didn't take long for her to spot the newcomer her informant mentioned. An Chinese man in his mid-thirties, dressed sharply in a suit, stood out against the bar's rough backdrop he was none other than the notorious drug trafficker Zhao Yin. He exuded an air of confidence that felt almost too polished for a place like this. He was surrounded by a group of tough-looking men, their clothes and mannerisms suggesting they're the cliché mobsters sterotype, they were more than just casual drinkers.
Elena blending into the crowd as she maneuvered closer to the group. She took a seat at the bar, ordering a drink while eavesdropping on their conversation. The suited man was speaking in an edgy yet authoritative tone. "This city's changing," he said. "New players, new opportunities. We need to be ready."
The group nodded along, their attention locked on him. Elena took in the details, getting out of whatever information she could. This felt like the start of a power shift, a start of something sketchy bussiness, the kind of play she had seen unfold many times before—someone trying to stake their claim in a city always on the edge of chaos and fucked up Narco situation she've seen many time before in her time at South America.
She finished her drink, slipping out of her seat and moving towards the exit. Her contact had been right; something was brewing, and it was worth monitoring. But as she stepped into the night, her thoughts shifted back to Joshua. The kid had a rare spark of courage, and despite her instinct to stay detached, she couldn't help feeling a lingering sense of responsibility for him.
Outside, Elena paused briefly, considering her next steps. The city was unpredictable, and she knew better than to get too involved with anyone or anything. But perhaps she'd keep an ear out for news of Joshua. He was unlikely to be caught up in the high-stakes world she navigated, but Yangon had a way of connecting people in unexpected ways. And if their paths crossed again, she wanted to be prepared.
She glanced back towards the bar one last time before turning and walking down the dimly lit street. The night was still young, and in Yangon, that meant the possibilities were endless. Elena's steps were steady and purposeful as she moved through the city, balancing the weight of her mission with the quiet curiosity about the young man who had left an unexpected mark on her.
It's the 1st of August, the rainy season of Myanmar had kicked in, rain is more frequent now. Joshua, coming from a rural village deep in the Dawna mountains of the Karen state, now living in Yangon had taken to using the Yangon Bus Service (YBS) more frequently, partly to avoid the confines of his apartment and partly out of a desire to see more of the city. His daily routine of going to his dead end coporate job, making barely 230$ a month in the weak as a straw economics of Myanmar, coming back to home later than usual trying to get by that, so he needed a change of scenery.
He found himself heading towards Hledan Center, a popular spot in Yangon with a heck lots of shops, and a variety of both local and international food. It was a change from his usual, and he hoped that the vibrant energy of the place might shake him out of his boredom. As he jumped off from the bus, he was greeted by the familiar chaos of Hledan Center. The square was alive with people, neon signs flashing, and the smell of various street foods wafting through the air as he stepped on to the platform near the bus- stop. Joshua wandered across through the crowd, feeling released from his earlier anxieties and thoughts. The noises and the movements were a welcome distraction for his clogged mind.
He decided to grab a bite to eat and headed towards a food stall selling his favorite, Moh Let Thoat, a local dish from Dawei, Tanintharyi Region. As he waited for his food on that plastic chair on the platfrom, he glanced around, observing what the people are milling about, some chatting, others hurrying to their destinations. It was a typical evening at Hledan, but Joshua couldn't shake the feeling that something unusual might happen.
As his order arrived on the plastic tablew, he spotted a figure in the distance. Even from this distance, he recognized her instantly it was none other than Elena. She was having a bite at a Dote Htoe(skewers) place, her usual aviators on, and a cigarette dangling between her fingers, just her eating alone in peace. She looked as if she had just stepped out of another world, effortlessly blending into the crowd.
Joshua hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should approach her. The last time he'd seen her, he had been caught off guard by the way she had handled the so-called gangsters before and he said he'd meet her again. He still wasn't sure if she'd remember him or if she would even want to see him again.
He didn't finished his dish, instead he walked towards her, his nerves jangling and adrenaline pumping on his veins. He got closer, he noticed she was just having a meal, having a detached gaze on her face. It was clear she was waiting for someone or something, but she seemed relaxed, ignoring the hectic environment around her.
When he finally reached her, he cleared his throat. "Elena?" He called her out with a firm voice..
She turned, her eyes narrowing slightly behind her sunglasses as she recognized him. A smirk slowly spread across her face. "Fancy seeing you here pretty boy."
Joshua gave a small, awkward smile to her. "Yeah, I've been getting out more. Thought I'd check out some food here."
"This place ain't shit no?," she replied, taking a drag from her cigarette. "It's one of the few places in this city that's always lively. You never know what you might find. Maybe I like being here."
Her gaze softened slightly, though she still maintained her usual coolzies vibe. "I guess it's a small world after all. I'm here on business, but I could use a break from the usual grind. How's things been for you? you getting some girls?"
Joshua shrugged, trying to sound casual. "Been busy and all. Nothing too serious or exciting. and.. I'm not seeing anyone."
She chuckled, an almost genuine smile appearing on her lips. "Normal's overrated. Have some fun duh."
Elena looked around at the lively scene of Hledan Center, then back at Joshua.
"You're kind of cheeky you know?," she said it straight to his face, her tone a mix of amusement and seriousness.
Joshua laughed nervously. "I don't know if I'm ready for the kind of excitement you're used to but I'll take that as a compliment."
Before Joshua could say another word, Revy's phone buzzed, and she glanced at it with a frown on her face. "Looks like I've got to take care of something. But it was good seeing you, boy. Maybe our paths will cross again sooner than you think."
With that, she gave him a nod and turned away, slipping back into the flow of the crowd. Joshua watched her back disappear as she stepped up and left, a mix of feelings swirling and going feral inside him. He had always felt that his encounter with her was a one-off, but here she was again, making him question what more he might be missing out on.
As he went back to that plastic table and finished his now cold and soggy meal and continued to wander through Hledan Center, he felt a strange sense of anticipation. The city had a way of surprising him, and with Elena back in his thoughts, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of adventures—or misadventures—might he see.